EPHRATA — Grant County PUD commissioners may consider operating an “employer-sponsored clinic” as a way to help cut medical insurance costs. Commissioners were given a presentation on the concept at the regular meeting Tuesday.

General manager Kevin Nordt said PUD officials are just starting to explore the concept. “We’re far from any details of implementation,” Nordt said.

Keith Robertson, vice-president with Alliant Employee Benefits, used a program set up by the city of Kirkland as his example.

Health care costs have outpaced the rate of inflation, Robertson said, and employers have tried various ways to reduce costs, but most of them reduce the value of the coverage. “Like standing on a melting iceberg.” Employers might be the best option to solve the problem of soaring health care costs, he said. “We have underestimated the power of that sector.”

The employer-sponsored clinic idea dates back about 40 years, Robertson said, although applying it to employers like Kirkland is relatively new. Commissioner Bob Bernd asked why they haven’t been more popular. Robertson said they have been used mostly by companies that needed to manage workers compensation costs.

Kirkland city officials had some requirements when they asked for a benefit plan – they wanted no increase in costs to the city for 10 years, no reduction in benefits and no increase in contributions by the employees. The plan that emerged had three components, a high-deductible health plan, a method for referring patients to specialists and a clinic, either in the same building or the immediate vicinity.

The plan decided on by Kirkland city officials restricted access to the onsite clinic to employees only. Employers could opt to include everyone covered by their plan, Robertson said.

Qualifying patients were asked to get a checkup and a follow-up visit at the clinic, then could visit the clinic at cost. Over time patients began visiting the clinic for primary care and to manage health issues, which, Robertson said, reduced costs in other areas, with fewer hospital stays and reduced specialist and emergency room visits. In addition, the plan allowed doctors to look at the market for different procedures, and help patients find the most cost-effective and best option for them. The employer – in this case the PUD – would contract with somebody else to run the facility.

Employees are not required to use the clinic, but the plan provides incentives to make it more attractive.

In answer to questions, Robertson explained distance from the clinic location affects how much people use it, at least in the experience of Yakima city officials. If the PUD decided to set up its own clinic the process would take about a year, he said.

Cheryl Schweizer can be reached via email at education@columbiabasinherald.com.